KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria; Age Limit, Marks, Nativity, Kannada Rules

News Title (Only English word and Numbers Allowed)*: KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Header Title*: KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria; Age Limit, Marks, Nativity, Kannada Rules

SEO: Title*: KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Marks and Nativity Rules

SEO: Description: Check KCET 2026 eligibility: nativity rules for Karnataka seats, minimum marks for General and SC/ST categories, subject combination and course-wise conditions.

SEO: keywords: KCET 2026 eligibility criteria, KCET eligibility criteria, KCET 2026 eligibility, KCET nativity criteria, KCET minimum marks, KCET qualification 2026, KCET eligibility for engineering, KCET eligibility for B.Pharm, KCET eligibility for B.Arch, KCET agriculture eligibility, KCET Kannada language test, KCET eligibility for SC ST, KCET subject combination, KCET eligibility for outside Karnataka candidates, KCET reservation certificate, KCET eligibility for veterinary courses

OG: Title: KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, Nativity and Minimum Marks

OG: Description: Know who can apply for KCET 2026: nativity and residency rules for Karnataka seats, minimum marks in PCM or PCB, subject combination and course-wise eligibility conditions.

OG: keywords: KCET eligibility 2026, KCET 2026 eligibility criteria, who can apply for KCET, KCET nativity rules, KCET domicile rules, KCET educational qualification, KCET minimum marks required, KCET SC ST eligibility, KCET Kannada language test rules, KCET engineering eligibility, KCET B.Arch eligibility, KCET B.Pharm eligibility, KCET agriculture courses eligibility, KCET number of attempts, KCET reservation category certificate, KCET 2026 notification

News Description:

KCET 2026 eligibility criteria set the nativity, educational qualification and minimum marks needed to apply for engineering, pharmacy, architecture and agriculture courses in Karnataka. Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) conducted KCET 2026 for admission to government and private colleges across the state. Candidates applying in a later KCET cycle should check the nativity proof, subject combination and category-wise marks rules below, since these decide who can submit a valid KCET application form.

KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria Highlights

Eligibility for KCET 2026 depends mainly on nativity proof and the marks secured in the qualifying PUC/Class 12 examination.

KCET 2026 Nationality and Nativity Criteria

Nativity decides whether a candidate is treated as a Karnataka candidate for reserved seats and fee categories.

• Candidates must be Indian citizens. Separate conditions apply to OCI, PIO and other foreign national candidates.
• The main nativity route needs at least 7 academic years of study, from 1st standard to 2nd PUC/12th, in a Karnataka government or government-recognised institution as on 1 July 2026, along with SSLC or 2nd PUC passed from Karnataka.
• A candidate who studied only 1st and 2nd PUC in Karnataka can also claim nativity if a parent studied in Karnataka for 7 years.
• Other recognised routes cover children of defence and CAPF personnel posted in Karnataka, children of Union or State Government employees serving in Karnataka, and children of Members of Parliament representing Karnataka constituencies.
• Candidates who completed their qualifying exam through Karnataka State Open University are not eligible for KCET 2026.

KCET 2026 Kannada Language Test Requirement

A separate language test applies only to a specific group of nativity claims.

• New candidates claiming nativity under the Kannada, Tulu, Kodava or Beary mother-tongue route from specified border areas must pass the KEA Kannada Language Test with at least 12 marks.
• Candidates who studied 10 full years in Kannada medium outside Karnataka are exempt from this test.

KCET 2026 Educational Qualification and Minimum Marks

Subject combination and minimum marks in the qualifying exam vary by the course a candidate wants to join.

Candidates appearing for their 2nd PUC/Class 12 exam in 2026 can also apply for KCET 2026. Agriculture Quota applicants additionally take a practical test, which carries 50% weightage in the final admission process for agriculture-related courses.

KCET 2026 Reservation Category Certificates

Candidates applying under a reserved category must hold the correct supporting certificate.

• SC, ST, Category-1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B candidates need the applicable caste certificate issued by the Tahsildar.
• SC, ST and Category-1 candidates seeking fee exemption also need an income certificate.

KCET 2026 eligibility is decided mainly by nativity proof, the subject combination studied in the qualifying exam and the marks secured in it, with separate conditions for the Kannada Language Test and for individual courses. Candidates should match their own nativity status, subjects and marks against the rules above before applying in a future KCET cycle.

KCET 2026 Eligibility FAQs

Ques: Is there an age limit for KCET 2026?

Ques: What minimum marks are needed for KCET 2026 engineering admission?

Ques: Can a candidate from outside Karnataka apply for KCET 2026?

Ques: Is the KEA Kannada Language Test compulsory for every KCET 2026 candidate?

Ques: Is there a limit on the number of attempts for KCET?